London Gypsy and Traveller Forum
Coordinated by LGTU
The Forum is a recognised GLA stakeholder
Set up in 2004 the London Gypsy Traveller Forum (LGTF) aims to improve the lives of Gypsies and Travellers in London, particularly in relation to their accommodation needs, and to promote their rights as Londoners, to equal treatment. It does this through exchange of information, discussion, promotion of good practise, challenge of poor practise, and advice to the GLA, the London Mayor and all other London authorities. The forum is open to London Gypsies and Travellers, council officers, elected representatives, service providers and other interested individuals and organisations who live or work in London, and who support and are prepared to work towards the above aim. The Forum meets on a quarterly basis, and sets up sub-groups to pursue particular issues in greater depth as necessary.
Its agenda has included:
- More sites in London
- Changes in planning regulations relating to Travellers
- Appropriate and good quality learning and training opportunities for 14-19 year olds.
- Media coverage
- Security of tenure on Traveller sites
- The London Housing strategy
- Presentations on Health issues
- CLG site management Guidance
- The London Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Needs Assessment
Over the period of consultation to the Draft London Plan, from September 2009 to September 2010, the Forum did a lot of work towards a better London Plan for Gypsies and Travellers; including submitting three separate objections which can be read here in chronological order. The following are useful links for details of the Plan and of the Examination in Public which took place in the autumn of 2010.